World · Africa · 1 hr ago
Kenyan court convicts Paul Mackenzie and about 30 others of 191 murders
A Kenyan court found Paul Mackenzie and about 30 others guilty of murder over 191 deaths.
The victims were 190 children and one adult, and the deaths took place in Shakahola Forest near Kenya’s coast.
Prosecutors said Mackenzie and his Good News International Church directed followers to fast, telling them this would help them reach heaven before the world ended.
Authorities have recovered more than 400 bodies from the forest since the case came to light in 2023, though investigations into other deaths are ongoing.
Mackenzie denied that he forced anyone to starve, but the court rejected his argument; the case has also raised calls for stronger oversight of religious organisations in Kenya.
The court is due to sentence Mackenzie and his co-accused on November 6.
A Kenyan court found Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 28 others guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult.
The court ruled that Mackenzie oversaw a system that compelled followers to fast to death.
The deaths were linked to the Good News International Church and its base in Shakahola Forest, near Kenya’s coast.
More than 400 bodies have been recovered from the area, and investigations into other deaths are continuing.
Mackenzie denied forcing victims to starve, but the court rejected his argument.
- Who
- Pastor Paul Mackenzie and 28 co-accused were found guilty.
- What
- They were convicted of murdering 190 children and one adult.
- When
- Monday, 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Mombasa, Kenya. The deaths occurred in Shakahola Forest.
- Why
- Prosecutors said Mackenzie and his church ordered followers to fast to death to go to heaven before the world ended.
Prosecution
Paul Mackenzie
Responsibility
Prosecution
Prosecutors said Mackenzie initiated and directed extreme fasting and compelled followers to starve.
Paul Mackenzie
Mackenzie denied forcing victims to starve.
Court finding
Prosecution
The court found Mackenzie and his co-accused guilty of murder.
Paul Mackenzie
The court rejected Mackenzie’s argument.
Mackenzie established the Good News International Church.
Mackenzie was arrested over charges of radicalisation and later acquitted.
Authorities shut down Mackenzie’s church, and he relocated to Shakahola Forest, police said.
Mackenzie was arrested after a rights group alerted authorities and some followers were rescued.
The court found Mackenzie and 28 others guilty of murdering 190 children and one adult.
- Convicted defendants
- Paul Mackenzie and 28 others
- Murders
- 190 children and one adult
- Church
- Good News International Church
- Location of graves
- Shakahola Forest, coastal Kenya
- Bodies recovered
- More than 400
- Sentence date
- November 6
16 sources
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What people are saying
I am satisfied that the prosecution has proved the case against all the 29 accused persons for the murder of 190 children and one adult
medical treatment was presented as an instrument of Satan.
This day, to me, is a very, very important day